I have a 1992 Baja 240 Outlaw with the engine hatch stuck in the down position. I have power, boat starts and everything else works, but all I get from the hatch actuator is an annoying clicking sound. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get the hatch open and resolve my problem? Thanks, Jim

Some actuators allow you to lift the hatch by hand. My first one did and it saved my azz when it failed. Can you get to the actuator bolts through the bench seat? If you can't get to the actuator through the bench seat, you'll have to try to remove the hinge pins and get in that way. Do you have a quick release on the actuator? Maybe you can hook it through a vent with a coat hanger.

I get the "click" when low on battery juice- try boosting it through a 12V adaptor and see what happens. If you have a perko switch move it to "all" and try it.

My builder positions quick releases on actuator hinges( i have dual rams) and designs a hole in the back of the rear bench to reach through to pull it in case of power failure. Does Baja do something similar?

Next question- are the hinges internal or external?

Uncle Dave

Laveycraft 2750 - Ilmor 710
Laveycraft 20.8 Sebring 406 SB
Fleetwood nitrous toy hauler
Yamaha raptor-700/Kawi-KFX 450
Nissan Titan

Thanks for the replies, however, the hatch will not lift by hand or prybar. I could not get in through the vent. I opened it up and all I could see was a fiberglass wall and I could not get through it. Even if I were to somehow cut through the inner wall there is no guarantee that I could reach the pin. Unfortunately there is no access through the rear seat without tearing it out. I have a clevis pin attaching the actuator to the hatch itself. ( I suppose it could have been worse , the gentlemen I purchased the boat from had a bolt and lock nut where the actuator attaches to the hatch.) My problem is getting to it. Even if I could pry the hatch open enough to reach the pin it would probably be bound so tight that pulling the pin would be impossible.The hinges are vinyl covered and I'm unsure if the pins can be removed. My Perko switch is set to all and doesn't help. Also the actuator is attached to the transom rather than the floor. As you can see I have a dilemma on my hands and was hoping for a reasonably easy fix. In other words; A solution where I don't have to engage in some sort of demolition to repair a mechanical malfunction. Well, back to the task at hand, Hoping one of the suggestions you kind gentlemen have given me will help me solve my problem. Thanks again,guys !

Sux big time dude.

I hate having to create a problem to fix a problem.

Sorry.

Uncle Dave

Laveycraft 2750 - Ilmor 710
Laveycraft 20.8 Sebring 406 SB
Fleetwood nitrous toy hauler
Yamaha raptor-700/Kawi-KFX 450
Nissan Titan
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What we have done some times is put a battery charger on the system and rock the switch back and forth several .....times and try to unstick the motor or the gear. This may work as long as you are getting good power to the lift. I would also try to bypass the switch at the dash. You can lose some juice thru the switch on older boats

maybe reverse the wires on the switch. might go up but not down.

Finally got the hatch off! Pulled the hinge pins and got enough play in the front of the hatch to get an arm in to pull the pin. No Rippin", no tearin', and no cuttin'! Initially the pin was bound too tight to pull. However I took an axe handle and gave the actuator motor acouple of raps, kind of like an old starter motor, and it started to work. I got enough play to pull the pin out easily. Now I just have to fix the actuator and insure this cluster f@#k doesn't happen again! Of course I missed a GREAT boating day.Thanks again for all of the help and suggestions you guys gave me and for commiserating with me on this sunny, calm Labor day! OSO Rocks!

Great news!! Now when you get the new actuator installed, make provisions to have access to the pin. Either an access hole or a tether you can give a good yank to pull the pin. You never know when you might need it

I was on vacation when this was posted. I had a 93 24 OL and the entire backseat could be removed. There is no bulkhead and the back seat base is screwed to the floor from inside the storage under the seat and bolted with T nuts from the sides. If I remember right, you could just unbolt and unscrew and then slide it forward.

That has got to be the worst hatch design I have seen. If it gets water in, it can't get out. I had to redo most of the wood on mine.